Video star Rudd plays down leadership tilt

Miles Godfrey, AAP Social Media Reporter

Kevin Rudd's staff have played down suggestions that the former prime minister is ramping up a social media campaign ahead of another tilt at the Labor leadership.

The backbench MP has posted 19 videos on his YouTube channel since January 30, when Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the September 14 federal election.

On Thursday, he posted a video of himself speaking in support of the charity Heart Kids Australia and appearing at an event for indigenous reconciliation.

In recent days there's also been footage posted of Mr Rudd involved in various japes and light-hearted scenarios, including playing barefoot bowls and weightlifting.

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Over the same period, there's also been numerous tweets and pictures posted on his Instagram account, many of which have been greeted enthusiastically by other social media users and in some cases led to calls for Mr Rudd to return as Prime Minister.

"Kevin the people of Australia need you to stand up and fight for us, please get the leadership back before we sink," one person wrote on Instagram.

Asked if he was ramping up a social media campaign as part of another leadership push, a spokesman for the former prime minister told AAP: "Mr Rudd has been a longstanding user of social media - his Twitter and Facebook timelines attest to that."

It comes amid a number of media reports that Mr Rudd may challenge for the leadership in March.

News Ltd reported on Thursday that Mr Rudd had been "reaching out" and engaging in "soft diplomacy" to bolster support among caucus colleagues, including dinner on Wednesday night with Simon Crean - a key supporter of Ms Gillard - and other Labor MPs.

Meanwhile, Ms Gillard's supporters are said to have widely circulated an email from a Sydney woman critical of Mr Rudd's profile-raising activities.

The email circulation has been interpreted as an attempt by Labor caucus members loyal to Ms Gillard to warn Mr Rudd against any leadership destabilisation in an election year.